CoreOptics, a Nuremberg, Germany-based manufacturer of ultrahigh-speed optical networking subsystems, announced that Alcatel optical veteran Niel Ransom, PhD, has joined the company’s board of directors as an independent member. Most recently, Ransom served as chief technology officer for Alcatel, in charge of corporate research, product strategy, research and development investments, mergers and acquisitions and venture investments. His tenure with Alcatel also included serving as vice president and general manager for Advanced Systems and Local Networks. Before that, Ransom led the Advanced Technology Center for BellSouth. He holds a PhD in electrical engineering from the University of Notre Dame and MBA from the University of Chicago.